LETTERS I WROTE AFTER KATRINA

JLetters I wrote to our local newspaper that appeared in print. Just change Mississippi to Texas/Florida, every word still holds true

January 26th,
2006

To the Editor, Sun Herald:

There have been many lists
of heroes generated by the assault and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but I
feel it’s important that this list be added:

To every woman whose last thought was
of her children, first hoping they would survive and then hoping that they
wouldn’t grieve “overmuch” as she went under water for the last time.

To every woman who lied the universal
lie (“I’m fine”) when asked if they were all right.

To every woman who cried when a single unbroken
cup or saucer from her grandmother’s china was found beneath a ton of debris.

To every mother who stood in long lines
in the hot Mississippi
sun with her small children for aid " be it food, water, ice or funds.

To every woman who learned how to use a
chain saw, start an old and contrary generator, who pushed a car three blocks
in a gas line, and who learned to make a picnic feast out of MRE’s.

To every woman in Colorado who turned off CNN, and went to her
kitchen window but never saw the pristine snow-capped mountains in the distance
for the tears she shed for us.

To every woman who replaced her
Dillard’s credit card with an EBT card, and foraged through tons of clothing,
in the hot sun, for her children’s sizes, and whose heart secretly bled for the
teen-aged daughter who may not have a
Junior or Senior prom that would require the perfect dress or shoes.

To every woman who secretly fell just a
little bit in love with every man in uniform " from the National Guard to the
Oregon Policeman, who came, not to
enforce martial law, but to rescue and assist, just like real Knights in
Shining Armor.

To every woman who came down here
because she knew in her heart that another woman needed her to come to this
place and bathe her child, cook a meal, scrub her walls, or hold her while she
cries the tears she hides.

To all of you and any I missed, God
will bless you.

Carol A. Cashes

Woolmarket

cacashes@hotmail.com

To The Men Beside the Women of Katrina:

For every man who is still shaken by his inability to keep
his family and home safe, never mind the size or scope of the assault.

For every man who cried unashamed at the total destruction
to his home, his neighborhood, and his community.

For every man whose heart cracked as he watched his wife
break her last manicured nail when she sifted or tried to remove the impossible
amount of debris in her world; and, in the next instant, never loved her more
as it swelled with pride when she mastered that old and cranky generator or wielded
the chainsaw like a seasoned lumberjack.

For every man who hopes he never hears his wife cry as she
did in those first days and weeks, but, is also grateful to hear it as he
grieves with his neighbor who lost his wife and will never hear her cry again.

For every man who is deeply ashamed to be dependent on his
adult children for even the basics of life " food and shelter - never mind
their willingness or desire to help, because that’s just not the natural order
of things

For every man who prays fervently to God every night to
provide the strength for just one more day; the “big picture” now being a
luxury of the past.

For every man who is humbled by the number of people who
want only to help and will always wonder if he would have been as quick to
leave his home for weeks or months because another man - a fellow American -
was in trouble; but knowing now, without doubt, that he will when the time comes.

For every man whose faith in God was tested and found, but
whose faith in his government is now irreparably shaken; taking away his underlying,
almost unconscious, sense of safety and security in this country in ways that
9/11 never did.

For every man still here " not giving up because his wife,
his children, his family, his friends, and his fellow Americans are with him
every step, every day.

God will bless you, too, as he does all who learn and grow
from life's trials and tribulations and are stronger and better men for it.

My Review

Reviews

Your words have moved me to tears. I can't adequately express the emotions I feel after reading these passages. Thank you for sending these messages to your newspaper, making a difference in this very special way, by acknowledging and soothing the wounds that don't always show on the outside.

Posted 5 Months Ago

Posted 5 Months Ago

Rating /100

5 Months Ago

Thanks for reading my work, Genocide. That means a lot to me. Check your messages, I'm back from h.. read moreThanks for reading my work, Genocide. That means a lot to me. Check your messages, I'm back from hibernation and will be catching up.

I wrote these after Hurricane Katrina, and I watched both men and women struggle afterwards. There were a lot of "heroes", but the everyday man/woman who lived here, stayed here and started over are the real heroes.

5 Months Ago

Posted 6 Months Ago

Rating /100

5 Months Ago

I personally watched these men and women in the early days after Katrina. Many "heroes", but the on.. read moreI personally watched these men and women in the early days after Katrina. Many "heroes", but the ones who were here, stayed, and began life again were the real heroes.

What an inspiring and riveting piece of writing, Carol. Whilst you pay tribute to the stoicism and strenght of your people,. similar to you for reminding us how it was and is even to this day. I recall the pics of what was happening and its aftermath.. longside the coverage of the people's attempts to keep going. Remember too that it took forever to get administrative help to re.build and reform the 'sorrier' areas. The way folk work together in times of stress is remarkable. Lord know why they can't do the same day to day, time long.

We see same now with what's been happening in the CAribean, Kansas and Florida.. tho iwi the looting and downright burglary is.. *(^&^^& !

Praise and applause to all those who suffered in the past, they deserve golden recommendations -each and every one. And you have part given in the way you've written. Thank you for caring and sharing.

Posted 6 Months Ago

Rating /100

5 Months Ago

I watched these men and women firsthand, and my tributes were the best that I could contribute at th.. read moreI watched these men and women firsthand, and my tributes were the best that I could contribute at the time. I got a lot of emails from men saying that they had cut it out of the newspaper and were saving it in their wallets. I cried over each and every one.

strong with emotional vibes that perfectly narrated a united and emphatic environment after Katrina. I watched the devastation caused by the hurricanes on CNN but your work took me into the minds and hearts of all those who suffered the natural disasters.

Posted 6 Months Ago

Rating /100

6 Months Ago

I was here in Biloxi, and witnessed most of who I tried to acknowledge and honor. Southern men have.. read moreI was here in Biloxi, and witnessed most of who I tried to acknowledge and honor. Southern men have a lot of pride and Southern women are strong. When these appeared in our local paper, I received about 150 responses, it was quite humbling.

6 Months Ago

the first part really ignited the feminist with in me
the second part made me grateful for .. read morethe first part really ignited the feminist with in me
the second part made me grateful for having good men living and helping each other among us. im so glad this was published. it really is an eye opener

I could feel the strength, sorrow, sympathy and gratefulness in your words. I can visualize the affected and I could them through your words. Deep! love it

Posted 6 Months Ago

Rating /100

5 Months Ago

Thank you for reading in it all the qualities that I observed after Katrina. They deserved to be po.. read moreThank you for reading in it all the qualities that I observed after Katrina. They deserved to be pointed out and I'm glad the local paper printed them.

Posted 6 Months Ago

Hi Carol, As I only have ipad up here, i could only send link to your posted letters to relatives & friends. Also sent them that way , with explanation, to the Town Council Mayor of Lake Clarke Shores where I live. Palm Beach Sun Herald is trickier, but still trying. Xo

Stats

Author

Biloxi, MS

About

I'm very cynical, jaded, just this side of bitter and the only reason I haven't crossed that line is a good man loves me. I am extremely empathetic, but seldom sympathetic. I can be a ferociously lo.. more..